3 minute read
Split creates new future for Essex crew
by ASTAC
By Lucien Lowtide*
Paul Dudley, who was promoted from Captain to Commodore at this year’s Brixham Pirate Festival, formed the Blackwater Pirates following a split from the Essex Pirate Society (Editor: I understand that no bloodshed was involved) as Paul had different goals and visions about the future of the crew. The Blackwater Pirates’ first venture into pillaging as an independent crew took place on 18 April, 2021, and they have been plundering the good people of Essex ever since!
Advertisement
The Blackwater Pirates are made up of pirates aged from 16 to 65 with both men and women, including Joshamee Gibbs, Charles Vane, Anne Bonny and a host of original characters. The crew set sail by taking part in various gatherings around different areas in Essex, meeting along the way with the local Jack Sparrow, who introduced them to the Thundersley Superhero Alliance, SouthendOn-Sea Ghostbusters and Essex Cosplayers. Acting together, these warriors raise money for Little Havens, the local children’s hospice and the crew has since helped raise over £5,000 for this worthy cause in 2021.
Blackwater Pirates were pleased to visit the hospice on International Talk Like a Pirate Day, when they regaled the children with swashbuckling stories, hunted for treasure and became involved with sensory play time, as well as being given a guided tour by staff to see how all the money raised is being spent!
The crew were honoured to be invited to Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund ‘meet and greet’ in March, 2022, where they met families and children battling childhood cancer, and gave them the opportunity for a respite day to meet their
Standing left to right: Joshamee Gibbs, Captain Arthur Bridge, Charles Vane, and Captain Jack Sparrow. In front are Commodore Clyde Jackdaw and Navy man Bullseye Ty at the Burnham-on-Crouch Carnival.
favourite characters. The crew gave away treasure maps, pirate’s gold, gems and jewellery, leaving the families present on the day with smiles on their faces.
Throughout the year, The Blackwater Pirates regularly attend carnivals, car shows, hero days and more around Essex and organise charity events such as a ten-mile walk along Southend Seafront for Children in Need. The crew continues to grow and has recently passed the milestone of 1,000 members on its Facebook group!
New members wishing to sign up are always made very welcome, so any marooned pirates based in Essex, should make contact via Facebook (contact details given on page 24). Blackwater Pirates will be more than happy to provide future opportunities to enjoy pillaging for charity.
The crew has also gained the respect of other longer-established members of The Pirate Brethren and is always keen to meet other crews in the pirate community at festivals in Brixham and Conwy, as well as at events such as Hastings Pirate Day(s), hopefully making plenty of new pirate pals in the process. Huzzah!
Captain Arthur Bridge, Declan Hands and Charles Vane (AKA the Blackwater Pirates: Bridge Crew) on the look-out for wenches at Brixham.
*Quartermaster to the Blackwater Pirates.
The Pirate Shop in the North Wales town of Conwy is the UK market leader for swords, daggers, guns, clothing, flags and accessories. A global distributor for Red Dragon Armoury, we sell the products of major international manufacturers such as Deepeeka, Windlass, Art Gladius, Medio Evo and Marshal Historical in the UK. We also stock other wellknown brands such as Hanwei, GDFB and SPES. On-site facilities at our 12,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre only five minutes from the centre of town include a trade showroom and a product development studio.
